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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • diligentfinance_legal@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Diligent Trust <diligenttrust3@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: diligentfinance_legal@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:17:43 +0100
Subject: TREAT URGENT NOW


FROM DILIGENT TRUST FINANCE PLC

ATTN: BENEFICIARY,

RE- THE US4.8 MILLION DOLLARS CREDIT IN YOUR FAVOR:

WE ARE WRITING TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THE PAYMENT OF THE SUM OF US$4.8 MILLION DOLLARS IN YOUR FAVOR. WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR INFORMATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE OUTSTANDING FUND IN OUR OFFICE DILIGENT TRUST FINANCE PLC. MAY I INFORM YOU THAT AFTER OUR RESEARCH, WE FINALLY RESOLVED THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF THE SUM OF ($4.8) FOUR MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS. THIS MONEY WAS DEPOSITED BY ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND A NATIONALE OF YOUR COUNTRY. TO PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO CONFIRM THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO US:

1. YOUR FULL NAME
2. YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS
3. YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER
4. LET US KNOW HOW YOU PREFER TO RECEIVE THE MONEY. DO YOU WANT A CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT OR, WIRE TRANSFER?

UPON RECEIPT OF THE ABOVE REQUESTED INFORMATIONS FROM YOU, WE WILL TRANSFER YOUR FUND TO YOU WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. WE ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATE YOU. TO RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT, CONTACT OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT THROUGH THIS E-MAIL: diligentfinance_legal@hotmail.com

MR.DAN COLE
(DIRECTOR, FOREIGN PAYMENTS)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam